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*?i i<\ T Guide rQ> Educators • • The remarkable • • . • -. •. story of one young woman who lived and m^m irtitfir her country eould be free. Two-Part Mini-Series Airim ay, May 16, 1999 an Tuesday, May 18, 1999, 9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT. Check local \'r* Tips for Using the JOAN OF ARC Educators' Guide and Website There are endless ways to create exciting lessons around the mini- series JOAN OF ARC. Here are some ideas to help you get started. Synopsis Before Viewing: Joan of Arc's humble roots begin in Domremy, in south • Review the SYNOPSES to familiarize ern France, during the Hundred Years' War. Joan's your students with the stories and father almost kills her at birth because he believes a characters in JOAN OF ARC. daughter cannot do the man's work that is needed. • Participate in the interactive ONLINE DISCUSSION with "Joan However, Joan is spared and grows up a clever and of Arc," to develop an understand defiant child, always seeking equal privilege to her ing about her place in history. brothers. Her life—and the fate of her country—begins • Assign JOAN OF ARC for viewing to change when she experiences visions and voices of as enrichment, homework, or extra credit. Saints Catherine, Michael, and Margaret. At 16, Joan After Viewing: leaves her family and village on her divine mission to • Use the DISCUSSION QUESTIONS help the Dauphin Charles gain his crown and, thus, and STUDENT ACTIVITIES in this unite France against its English enemies. guide to direct purposeful viewing and extend student investigation. Joan is assisted by the nobleman Jean de Metz and his • Encourage students to post ques band of merry men. After a perilous journey, Joan enters tions and comments on the interac tive BULLETIN BOARD, on the the Dauphin's court attired in men's clothing and JOAN OF ARC website. cropped hair. The female warrior earns Charles' blessing • Click on the ICONS that correspond to fight the English, but only after she agrees to assume to specific curriculum areas in this the identity of the Maid of Lorraine, a legendary heroine guide for more in-depth information and educational enhancements. who is prophesied as the savior of France. A small army • Visit the JOAN OF ARC website of soldiers intensely devoted to the Maid follow Joan regularly for updates. into battle at Orleans. Joan puts her life on the line for her beliefs, thus inspiring her troops, but she is an open shot for the arrow that wounds her. Discussion Questions—Part 1 Social Studies/French History Religion What reasons might Joan's father have had for not want 1. Joan tells Father Monet that she hears the voice of St. ing a daughter? What role did women play in medieval Catherine and other saints. What does it mean to have society? Name the many examples, from childhood on, "divine guidance?" How does this insight occur for Joan? 4» of how Joan challenged expectations of the ways she 2. Bishop Cauchon is the spiritual advisor to the Dauphin should behave as a woman. + Charles. Why did political leaders have religious counsels 2 Father Monet summarized the Battle of Agincourt, one in the Middle Ages? Does that practice continue today? of the major conflicts of the Hundred Years' War. Who 3. In one scene, Father Monet works on an illuminated fought in this battle? What were they fighting for? How manuscript. What is it? What later invention made it did the outcome lead to Joan's mission? unnecessary for priests to create illuminated manuscripts? 3. Charles insisted that Joan pretend to be the Maid of 4. Babette is a nun whose soup kitchen feeds the poor and Lorraine. Why? How would this ruse be an advantage to needy. How does the mini-series portray the role of Joan? To Charles? women in the Catholic church? Is this portrayal accurate? 4. What weapons were used in medieval warfare? How were battles different from those fought today? Media Literacy 1. There is no historical proof that Jean de Metz was in love English/Language Arts with Joan. What purpose does his character serve in the 1. Most movies have a hero. What is the definition of a CD mini-series? Would you be as interested in the mini- hero? What heroic acts does Joan commit early in her series if he were not in it? life that establish her as the hero of the mini-series? 2. How does the sound track affect the feeling of a scene? € 2. The protagonist, or main character, of a movie usually Choose a scene that is accompanied by music. Describe works in opposition to a person, or force, called the the feeling of the music. How does it add to the scene? antagonist. Who is the antagonist in this mini-series? Is 3. In historical dramas such as JOAN OF ARC, much atten there more than one? tion is paid to costumes. Choose four characters and 3. How does Joan's character change over time? What describe how their clothing gives information to the does she have to learn to fulfill her mission and become audience about their roles in the story. a leader? 4. At the end of Part 1, Joan is injured in the Battle of 4. Joan inspired people to rise up against the English. Orleans. As Part 2 begins, we learn that Joan overcomes What qualities do the French gain under her influence? her injury and leads the French to a triumphant victory. Do you think those qualities are necessary to help What effect does the break have on the audience? Why people overcome struggles in general? end Part 1 with her injury rather than her victory? JOAN OF ARC PART 2 Synopsis Joan and the French are victorious at the battle of Orleans. She stands by Charles' side, as he is crowned king in Reims. However, Joan is unaware that the new monarch has no interest in uniting France. Charles has made a treaty with Philip, the Duke of Burgundy, which puts France's loyal subjects and Joan's faithful followers at the mercy of the English-allied Burgundians. Joan pressures Charles to let her lead an army to liberate Paris. Fearing the approaching Maid, the Burgundians flee Paris, but its citizens refuse to accept Charles as their king. Bent on seeing a united France, Joan leads an invasion of Paris. However, her troops suffer a devastating defeat. In a startling political maneuver, Charles sets a trap for Joan to be captured by the Burgundians. Madame de Beaurevoir, a powerful Burgundian, protects the imprisoned Joan in hopes that the Maid will switch sides and fight for Burgundy. When Madame de Beaurevoir dies, Joan is turned over to the English, who accuse her of witchcraft and put her on trial at Rouen. Despite coercion from John Le Maitre, the dreaded deputy of France's Holy Inquisition, and Bishop Cauchon, Charles' former spiritual advisor, Joan holds true to her beliefs. The 19-year-old Joan is burned at the stake for heresy, thus ending her short life—but not her extraordinary place in history. In fact, nearly 500 years after her death, Joan of Arc was declared a saint. Discussion Questions—Part 2 Social Studies/French History Religion 1. With her fame, Joan becomes a political pawn. How do 1. After the Battle of Orleans, why does Joan say there the following characters attempt to use Joan for their should be no fighting on Sunday? What religious rule is own purposes: Charles, Philip, the Duke of Bedford, she keeping? What happens when she violates this rule Madame de Beaurevoir, Bishop Cauchon, Brother by invading Paris on a Sunday? 4* Le Maitre? What are their motivations? +2 . Bishop Cauchon tells Joan that only priests are able to 2. Joan is accused of being a witch by the English and a communicate directly with God. How does Joan chal heretic by the French. What do her accusers say she has lenge this statement? What are the Catholic Church's done wrong? How is the trial unfair by today's standards? views today about who is fit to communicate with God? If Joan were to be put on trial today, would she be 3. Joan was killed for being a heretic, but almost 500 years considered crazy? later she was made a saint. What changed? 3. Who would you say is more in charge according to the 4. Bishop Cauchon says he wants to save Joan's soul. How mini-series, the king or the church? How is this power does he believe salvation will happen? Does he succeed? struggle true to the times that Joan lived in? 4. Joan is one of history's greatest female warriors. Discuss Media Literacy ways that she demonstrates her greatness in the mini- 1. Docudramas attempt to show the story of a person's life series. Where does she falter? Do you believe women in the span of a few hours. What events are included in should be able to fight in the military? Discuss. the mini-series JOAN OF ARC? What kinds of events are Cj left out? Discuss why. English/Language Arts 2. It has been said that casting is 75% of a director's job. 1. How is Joan's death an example of her heroism? What What kinds of things might a director look for in an actor other historical heroes have died for their beliefs? when casting a character? Choose a character and 2. The image of a burning flame appears repeatedly describe the qualities about him or her that seem right throughout the mini-series, beginning with the opening for the part.